The Atlanta Falcons are a professional football team located in Georgia and compete in the NFC South Division. Check out everything you need to know about the team on this dedicated page and why so many continue to look out for the Atlanta Falcons schedule each season.
Background
Formed in 1965, the Atlanta Falcons is a team that managed to join the NFL as an expansion side and have proven to be rather successful since doing so. The team joined the NFC South Division, with whom they compete with the Carolina Panthers, the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The franchise plays their games at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, and as of the NFL 2021 Season, are coached by Arthur Smith. The team is currently owned by Arthur Blank, who purchased the team in 2002 and has overseen their rise in recent years.
History
Having joined the NFL as an expansion team, the Atlanta Falcons were only offered the opportunity to do so because of threats from a rival competition. The NFL offered then-owner Rankin Smith a franchise to keep him from joining the rival American Football League (AFL).
The franchise has had to overcome a number of struggles throughout its existence, with the team finding its first decade or so in the NFL being extremely tough. Things have since stabilised, although the team does still find it difficult to put together a strong winning record at times.
Honors
Since being established, the Atlanta Falcons record features a number of highlights including winning division championships in 1980, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2012, and 2016. Additionally, the Falcons have appeared in two Super Bowls, the first during the 1998 season in Super Bowl XXXIII, where they lost to the Denver Broncos 34–19, and the second 18 years later, a 34–28 overtime loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI.
Famous players and Ring of Honor
There are a number of brilliant players to have represented the Atlanta Falcons logo throughout the years, with a large array of talented football players to have worn the Atlanta Falcons jersey over the years with pride.
Currently led by Matt Ryan as its quarterback, the Atlanta Falcons depth chart is one that is rather stacked with talent, with a number of well-known names competing for the team each week.
The Ring of Honor also highlights how many exceptional players have featured for the team over the years, with the likes of Eric Dickerson, Brett Favre, Deion Sanders and Tony Gonzalez to have been just a few to have seen their achievements recognised by the NFL in the Hall of Fame, as well as by the Atlanta Falcons.
Summary
Despite all of their struggles, the Atlanta Falcons are still a top NFL side that will be able to compete against the very best at any given moment, which is why so many continue to take a look at them as a potential dark horse.
They have managed to prove themselves on a number of occasions throughout history, and expect to see them continue to improve in the future!
